Covid-19: Nizamabad govt hospitals tops charts for ICU recoveries

HYDERABAD: As many as 109 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) at the Government General Hospital in Nizamabad have recovered in the last two months. At least 50 such patients who were on ventilator won the battle against Covid-19 even after being on ventilator for over ten days. The recovery rate of patients admitted in ICU is around 90%
According to the hospital’s data, recovery rate of Covid-19 patients there stands at 40% which is nearly double of other hospitals.“Before the government sent us costly medication like Remdisivir (injection) and Favipiravir (tablets) which cost Rs 30,000 and Rs 12,000 respectively for each patient, we had bought them from the district collector’s fund,” said hospital’s ICU in-charge, Dr M Kiran.

While the hospital does not have super speciality units, it ensured that only those with severe co-morbidities were sent to Gandhi Hospital. None of the recovered patients have complained of health problems since discharge. “Confidence among patients and doctors is key for recovery of critical cases,” said hospital superintendent Dr Pratima Raj.
Among the standout cases was that of 48-year-old Devi Singh from Bodhan, a central government employee who battled his way to recovery while being on ventilator support for ten days. This is one of the very rare cases in the country. Singh has been advised one month’s rest and light meals with immunity boosting capacities like fruits.
“I have been discharged today (Tuesday). I was told that my lungs were completely not in a position to breathe. However, with the help of doctors and a strong hope that I will survive, I continued my battle and survived,” Singh told TOI over the phone. Doctors said Singh’s case was unique as his family had a history of low immunity and some had passed away at a very young age. “Some tests were done in private hospitals as the patients could afford them. He was given the right treatment with expensive injections,” one of the doctors said.